a read disk error occurred

[Fasih_]

I turned on my computer today to find that it says "a read disk error has occurred press ctrl+alt+del to restart". When I restart, it comes back to that screen. Please help.

 

[CountMike]

You men Disk read ? It's probably corrupted or it's trying to run OS of a wrong one.

 

[Fasih_]

So how do I fix it?

 

[RolandJS]

After a power down, have you already tried removing all external media devices and re-Coldbooting? If, though remotely possible, there is an imminent HD "logical" or physical failure approaching, then consider something many DR specialists recommend:
If affordable, if possible, via a usb or dvd boot, clone the problematic source HD onto any trusted reliable target HD, store target HD in a safe place, because, if the worst case arrives, you have whatever that was salvaged. Your backups will have to fill in the rest.

 

[Fasih_]

I removed all other media devices as you said, but no luck. Not sure about the rest of what you said made any sense to me at all.

 

[RolandJS]

Google cloning a hard-drive and the reasons why
...it will make perfect sense to you

 

[Fasih_]

I've heard of it, but never done it. I'll try in my other pc and if it still doesn't show up I know the problem is the hard drive and not the cable or motherboard. Thx a lot too.

 

[RolandJS]

That's why I added the phrase: "if possible" -- please update us on your progress

 

[Fasih_]

YES! I reinstalled the OS to get the computer working again!

 

[RolandJS]

If that read error returns, please consider the cloning idea.